Driving With Midrange Discs

[virtualguthrie]

Hi All,
This topic seems to come up a lot around here. I started playing in July and of course being a bit of a gadget junky I got into some of the wide rimmed drivers and carrying lots of discs and other bad habits. I've seen many of the comments from old-timers and more experienced players about using mid-ranges for drivers to improve your form before moving on the fairway and distance drivers.
Well this week I decided to just start driving with my Roc and leave the Valkyrie's and Beasts that are in my bag for later. It's been working wonders for improving my form and I've been getting plenty of distance. Now when I have thrown a driver I have noticed that my throws are improving.
I've narrowed my bag down to a Roc (drives and second shots), a skeeter (for anhyzer shots), and an Aviar P & A for putts. This has really helped me simplify my choices and allowed me to learn just those discs and learn them well.
I just wanted to say thanks for the advice and encourage other noobs to follow the advice from the more experienced players on this site and throw that mid-range. It really helps!

Thanks Guys and Gals!

[YonderScott]

I'll have to second what virtualguthrie said. I've been playing about the same amount of time. I play at least 9 or 18 holes a day, weather permitting. But I also have room to stand in the yard and practice. I do this daily as well. Starting 2 months ago I started to use only putters and mid-range to practice with, only pulling out the drivers on the course. My game has improved by leaps and bounds. I can actually control my drivers much better now. I also dedicate some rounds to only taking a roc and a skeeter(I use the star to putt and approach). I can't think of everyone's advice I read but tim and ThreePutt come to mind. And while I'm at it...thanks to everyone that makes this website great and a daily read for me.

It's a wonder I find time to work.

[zensuit]

I broke par for the first time with a modified bag, only using two drivers, a Surge SS for Hyzers, a Discraft Slipstream for straight. Threw on every <300 hole with a gateway Element. Then...to prove that it wasn't a fluke played 9 holes in 1 over with just a Banger GT Putter.

It's the way you throw it!

Z

[Midnightbiker]

Try an Innova Coyote

[DannyM]

Try an Innova Coyote

Yanno, about 2 years ago I would have laughed at that comment, I had a Champ coyote 180g, and it just didn't fly like I liked at all. In fact I gave it to a guy just learning to play that didn't have any discs. Last summer I won a champ coyote in a CTP contest, that was tye-dyed, but the disc was bright yellow with flames "inked" on it...really cool, and was easy to find on the ground. This one was 172g. Started throwing it here and there and really liked it, so it went in my bag. Now I REALLY like this disc. If I drive off the tee-pad with it throwing fairly hard, it will go where you point it. If you take power off, it's fairly straight, with just a slight fade at the end. It's a slow disc, but a LOT of glide. One of the best "free" discs I'd gotten!!!

[dpennycuff]

Last year I was looking for ways to improve my driving distance, and read a thread on this website that suggested playing rounds with only midranges and putters. I always meant to do it, but never did. I am currently trying to get my 11 and 12 year old cousins into the game, and so I have been playing with only putters to make them feel better. This move really does help improve your throwing form and accuracy. I play so often, that I have started playing one of our shorter course each week, and limiting myself to only midranges and putters. My throwing accuracy has gotten so much better. I am hitting gaps with confidence that only a few months ago I could only hit on a lucky day!

[Three Putt]

Yanno, about 2 years ago I would have laughed at that comment, I had a Champ coyote 180g, and it just didn't fly like I liked at all. In fact I gave it to a guy just learning to play that didn't have any discs. Last summer I won a champ coyote in a CTP contest, that was tye-dyed, but the disc was bright yellow with flames "inked" on it...really cool, and was easy to find on the ground. This one was 172g. Started throwing it here and there and really liked it, so it went in my bag. Now I REALLY like this disc. If I drive off the tee-pad with it throwing fairly hard, it will go where you point it. If you take power off, it's fairly straight, with just a slight fade at the end. It's a slow disc, but a LOT of glide. One of the best "free" discs I'd gotten!!!There are some good "neutral stable" midrange discs that are mis-characterized as turnover mids. The reason is that people are used to overthrowing overstable discs. If you nut a neutral stable disc, it will flip. However, if you are smooth and use good form, these discs will fly on whatever line you put them on and usually will glide farther than you can torque an overstable disc.

Since Discraft released the Comet in Z plastic this winter, I've been using Comets and really focusing on my form. I know a lot of new players who have tried Comets and hated them, saying they flip too easily. They do flip if you throw them wrong. The only advantage I have over the new player is that when the disc flips I can recognize that as operator error and keep working on it. If I could actually figure out my form, the Comet would really cut into my use of fairway drivers because it is that long...crazy glide on that thing!

[skurf]

So when you drive with a mid-range are you throwing it as hard as you would if it were a driver that you were trying to throw flat and straight? I'm having trouble finding the right strength to use. When I throw it like a driver it seems turn over and dive off to the right after about 160'(RHBH), but when I let up on power it doesn't get near the glide that it is meant to have and just falls flat to the ground after about 140'. Should I release it not as flat as a driver with maybe a little left angle on it?

[gvan]

When I throw it like a driver it seems turn over and dive off to the right after about 160'

This is the benefit of learning with a midrange. Throwing that disc with hyzer angle and letting it flip up to just over flat with a nice s curve will give it a great deal of distance. more than you've seen previously.

After seeing advice on this board I play 1 or 2 rounds a week with a severely limited bag. Either 1 drive and one putter, putter only, or midrange only. I have learned to hyzer flip my roc on drives and how to get it to float nicely on approach.

I'm not near where I want to be yet, but it's a big help.

[sidewinding]

This is the benefit of learning with a midrange. Throwing that disc with hyzer angle and letting it flip up to just over flat with a nice s curve will give it a great deal of distance. more than you've seen previously.

After seeing advice on this board I play 1 or 2 rounds a week with a severely limited bag. Either 1 drive and one putter, putter only, or midrange only. I have learned to hyzer flip my roc on drives and how to get it to float nicely on approach.

I'm not near where I want to be yet, but it's a big help.

You should'nt have to hyzer flip a Roc to get it to go straight. If you are then you've either got a really beat in Roc or your form has some issues. I use to have problems getting a Roc over 200' but somone on here said that Roc's like to be thrown higher than drivers and they were right. When I practice driving in a field I will take all my Rocs and throw them as hard as I possibly can, just like I would a Boss or Destroyer but with a little more height and they do not turn over. I can occasionally get one out to about 90 yards. I don't know how they throw them over 400'

[Disc Chainy]

So when you drive with a mid-range are you throwing it as hard as you would if it were a driver that you were trying to throw flat and straight? I'm having trouble finding the right strength to use. When I throw it like a driver it seems turn over and dive off to the right after about 160'(RHBH), but when I let up on power it doesn't get near the glide that it is meant to have and just falls flat to the ground after about 140'. Should I release it not as flat as a driver with maybe a little left angle on it?

I drive discs like the Roc, leopard, skeeter, gazelle, and Aviar with the fan grip. It allows me to throw full power, but essentially put a little less spin on the disc and completely eliminate the chances of grip lock. It felt strange at first, but now its a very comfortable, controllable grip. If I'm throwing drivers I use the power grip, but everything else I like to switch it up. Its basically my accuracy grip

[warren1086]

Since Discraft released the Comet in Z plastic this winter, I've been using Comets and really focusing on my form. I know a lot of new players who have tried Comets and hated them, saying they flip too easily. They do flip if you throw them wrong. The only advantage I have over the new player is that when the disc flips I can recognize that as operator error and keep working on it. If I could actually figure out my form, the Comet would really cut into my use of fairway drivers because it is that long...crazy glide on that thing!

I am fairly new to the game and ever since I purchased my Comet I can't put it down. Sometimes I even go to my local course and just use that disc, and sometimes I beat my friends with just that disc which is always nice. I love it and there will always be a Comet in my bag!

[ShaZaun]

hmmm....I'll be shopping for a coyote now.....

[garublador]

So when you drive with a mid-range are you throwing it as hard as you would if it were a driver that you were trying to throw flat and straight? Putters, mids and control drivers can all be thrown the same. Faster, distance drivers might require some technique changes to ge the nose more down. The straightest line you can get will be from a beat, stable driver with a hyzer flip.

[dangitboy]

I drive discs like the Roc, leopard, skeeter, gazelle, and Aviar with the fan grip. It allows me to throw full power, but essentially put a little less spin on the disc and completely eliminate the chances of grip lock. It felt strange at first, but now its a very comfortable, controllable grip. If I'm throwing drivers I use the power grip, but everything else I like to switch it up. Its basically my accuracy grip

Agreed. If you are not already using a fan grip then definately try it. It allows you to make a full swing w/o overpowering the disc. I will even fan grip a teebird at times for accuracy. I even use more of a "modified" fan when throwing putters for upshots or putting, I put my index finger out on the edge of the disc.

[skurf]

I'm not exactly sure what the fan grip is, but I went out and tried some practice tosses with what I thought the fan grip is...basically I fanned my pinky, ring, and middle finger flat against the plate of the disc and curled my index tight around the rim. Is that right? This actually produced some very accurate hyzer shots and somewhat accurate straight shots, but for the anhyzer I still needed to use the power grip. I was practicing on a ~250' hole and sailed a big anhyzer about 60' over the top of it, which was by far my farthest mid-range throw to-date and one that I was pleasantly surprised with. Still though, a couple of the ones that I tried to throw straight with the power grip turned over and hit the ground well short of 200'.

Is it normal to change your grip on a mid-range depending on if you're trying to hyzer or anhyzer it?

[solomon.trenton]

i like to use my stingray for drives because i can throw it almost perfectly straight.

[Disc Chainy]

Is it normal to change your grip on a mid-range depending on if you're trying to hyzer or anhyzer it?

When I throw smaller-brimmed discs hyzer I don't change my grip at all, only the angle I release the disc at. My anny shot isn't great, so I can't comment on that- I usually throw sidearm in those situations. Here's a good link showing some fan grips:
http://innovadiscs.com/tips/davesgripsmain.html#fan

[harr0140]

i like to use my stingray for drives because i can throw it almost perfectly straight.

I figured that shot out just about a week ago. The problem is I need to start that Stingray nearly vertical to get it to flip back staight

[tamahawk]

i just started doing some field practice last week for the first time, and it was really the first time i had ever thrown my mid-range discs as hard as i would a driver disc. i can relate to most everything that has been talked about in this thread. i am turning those discs over hard, even the more stable and overstable mid-ranges.

i can definitely see the benefit of working with those discs more. good thread and a lot of good information.


i like to use my stingray for drives because i can throw it almost perfectly straight.

I figured that shot out just about a week ago. The problem is I need to start that Stingray nearly vertical to get it to flip back staight

i have a stingray too, and have been trying to work on the flip shot. i have decent control trying to flip the understable drivers, but really have to commit to the hyzer angle release to get that stingray to flip flat and not turn all the way over. very difficult since initially i worked really hard trying to just release the discs flat, but learning this shot is starting to open up new routes for me on my local courses.

[Jungle Tim]

Since Discraft released the Comet in Z plastic this winter, I've been using Comets and really focusing on my form. I know a lot of new players who have tried Comets and hated them, saying they flip too easily. They do flip if you throw them wrong. The only advantage I have over the new player is that when the disc flips I can recognize that as operator error and keep working on it. If I could actually figure out my form, the Comet would really cut into my use of fairway drivers because it is that long...crazy glide on that thing!

once again ThreePutt shooting the proverbial Ace. I couldnt agree more with you. The comet is a massively underrated disc probably one of the cleanest flying mids out there (i can here the retorts now Roc bla Roc bla bla Roc):p

[Ryan P.]

if you're flipping over all of your midranges, i might think that you're either throwing with a lot of wind, or letting it go wrong. although the hyzer flip with a stingray is an awesome shot. i love throwing that.

[tamahawk]

good point, i was throwing into a headwind, probably around 10mph. i know that will affect the flight some, maybe that was more of a factor than i thought. i did not have that much of a problem with the drivers, but they are better designed to cut through the wind. maybe i'll catch a calm day and see how much of a difference that makes.

[Dthunderchicken]

Hi All;

I have to strongly agree with using mids off the tee. Last summer I wracked myself up pretty well. (Broke my throwing shoulder, herniated a disc and bulged two more) In re-learning the game I figured that I couldn't handle a driver of any sort. Since getting back to it, I haven't thrown anything faster than a Skeeter.

What I've experienced is much better control and the ability to handle even a long hole better. I can do two relatively short shots and a putt better than a long drive, short approach and a putt. Although I too have trouble with a headwind.

I'm looking forward to the day that I can control my drivers again (I miss them) but I'm starting to think that a good strategy is to throw the slowest disc I can get away with. And plan the whole hole not just the next shot.

FWIW, a Discraft Impact and a Gateway Element both make fine mid-drivers too. The Element dosen't like a cross wind though. (The Element in 150g is a much different animal than in 170g. I like the 150 better.)